US4557773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selectively manifolding honeycomb structures
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1981-07-15
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2001-07-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises a method and various apparatus related to fabricating solid particulate filter bodies and other honeycomb structures the cells of which are selectively charged with a plugging or other flowable material. Solid coverings are applied over the end faces of a honeycomb structure, preferably an adhesive backed transparent thermoplastic film such as polyester, openings are created through the covering, preferably by melting the thermoplastic film, and the sealing or other flowable material is charged through the openings formed in the covering into the underlying cells. A porous walled honeycomb structure having coverings adhered to its end faces with selective openings therethrough is itself a solid particulate filter of some usage. A more substantial solid particulate filter body may be formed by charging a more durable sealant through the openings to form plugs and removing the coverings. An envisioned automated method and apparatus for forming openings through the covering is described and consists of an image analyzer which examines the surface of the structure and outputs signals to a jig for precision positions of a tool for forming openings through the covering.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy T. Bonzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:14
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/24; B01D46/2403; B01D46/2418; B01D25/00; B01D25/22; B01D29/00; B01D29/11; B01D29/111; B01D29/31; B01D29/33; B01D29/50; B01D29/52; B01D46/0001; B28; B28B; B28B11/00; B28B11/003; B28B11/006; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/74; B29C70/76; B29C70/766; C; C04; C04B; C04B38/00; C04B38/0006; B01D2201/00; B01D2201/46; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1056; Y10T156/1057; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for charging a flowable material into ends of a selected plurality of cells of a honeycomb structure having a multiplicity of mutually adjoining cells which are opened at and extend into the structure from an open surface thereof, comprising the steps of: forming a solid covering across and onto the open ends of said multiplicity of cells at said open surface; scanning said covering to locate said plurality of cells; generating in response to said scanning step first signals indicating the location of said plurality of cells; generating in response to said first signals second signals for positioning an opening forming means with respect to said plurality of cells; positioning said opening forming means with respect to said plurality of cells in response to said second signals whereby openings are formed by said means through said covering opposite said plurality of cells; and charging said flowable material through said openings into said plurality of cells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for charging a flowable material into ends of a selected plurality of cells of a honeycomb structure having a multiplicity of mutually adjoining cells which are opened at and extend into the structure from an open surface thereof, comprising the steps of: forming a solid covering across and onto the open ends of said multiplicity of cells at said open surface; scanning said covering to locate said plurality of cells; generating in response to said scanning step first signals indicating the location of said plurality of cells; generating in response to said first signals second signals for positioning an opening forming means with respect to said plurality of cells; positioning said opening forming means with respect to said plurality of cells in response to said second signals whereby openings are formed by said means through said covering opposite said plurality of cells; and charging said flowable material through said openings into said plurality of cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming a covering comprises securing preformed flexible film over said multiplicity of cells at said open surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of securing a flexible film comprises adhering a thin polymer film over said multiplicity of cells at said upon surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming a solid covering comprises applying a meltable covering over said multiplicity of cells at said open surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 or 4 wherein said step of positioning said opening forming means includes the step of heating said covering opposite each of said plurality of cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of heating comprises applying a heated tool to said covering.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flowable material is plastically formable and said step of charging comprises the step of pressing said flowable material against said covering and through said openings into the ends of said plurality of cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said honeycomb structure is formed from a ceramic-based material, said flowable material is sealing material comprises a ceramic-based cement and said method further comprising after said charging step the step of firing said charged honeycomb structure whereby sintered cement seals are formed at said end portion of said given channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the sealing material is a batch obtained by mixing ceramic raw material with a binder and a plasticizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said binder is a cellulose derivative.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said film is at least one material selected from the group consisting of a paper and an organic high molecular weight film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said film is a thermoplastic and said step of positioning said opening forming means includes heating said film opposite each of said plurality of cells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step of heating comprises applying a heated tool to said film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-09 | 1989-06-10 | 1989-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-06-10 | 1993-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-09 | 1997-06-10 | 1997-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |